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SME President: We are Expanding Our Horizon

By Sarah A. WebsterEditor in ChiefManufacturing Engineering Media

It’s an exciting, changing time in manufacturing, and SME will broaden its agenda to make sure it remains a leader, SME President Dennis Bray, PhD, FSME, told a crowd Sunday at the SME State of the Society Luncheon.

The 2013 SME Annual Convention runs through Tuesday in Baltimore at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel.

“These are the changes we have to focus on as a society,” he said. “We’re expanding our horizon … We can have a dramatic impact.”

SME, he added, also has an obligation to lead development of the next generation of manufacturers, from engineers and beyond. “Filling that pipeline is an integral part of what we do,” he said. “We have a role to inspire the next generation workforce.”

He also emphasized that “our membership is our most valued asset,” explaining that it allows SME to achieve its multi-faceted agenda.

Bray also reviewed the investments, changes and performance of SME’s various business units, such as Events, Tooling U and Manufacturing Engineering Media. As part of its recovery plan after the recession, SME is aiming for break even in 2013. We are ahead of plan through May, however. SME’s annual financial reports will be posted online in early July after auditing is complete.

For more updates on the 2013 SME Annual Convention, follow us on Twitter at #SME2013.